"I was very very surprised. I did not expect it, and I was surprised. I never imagined it," Nasaruddin Umar told reporters here on Monday.
Umar said he had not discussed earlier about the ministerial position with Prabowo or anyone in the Gerindra Party.
However, on Monday, at around 6 p.m. local time, he received an invitation from Prabowo's aide to come to Kartanegara.
Prabowo then sought Umar's help in the next cabinet.
"I never expected it. Never imagined it. I just work professionally at Istiqlal and at the university as a lecturer," he remarked.
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Umar is still reluctant to speak at length about the ministerial position offered by Prabowo. However, he ensured that his duties would not veer from his daily activities in the religious field.
"I think it is not far from my daily life. He (the president) will explain later," he remarked.
Nasaruddin Umar was one of the several other figures, including Prasetyo Hadi, Sugiono, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Natalius Pigai, Yandri Susanto, Fadli Zon, and Saifullah Yusuf, who were summoned to Prabowo's residence.
Nusron Wahid, Maruarar Sirait, Abdul Kadir Karding, Wihaji, Teuku Riefky Harsya, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), Arifatul Choiru Fauzi, Yassierli, Satryo Soemantri, Tito Karnavian, Zulkifli Hasan, Bahlil Lahadalia, and Abdul Mu’ti were also invited to Prabowo's residence.
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Translator: Katriana
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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